Hong Kong Umbrella Movement

The Hong Kong Umbrella Movement, which began in 2014, was a series of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Activists sought greater political freedoms and universal suffrage, demanding the right to freely elect their leaders. The movement gained its name from protesters using umbrellas to shield themselves from police use of pepper spray. The demonstrations highlighted tensions between Hong Kong's desire for autonomy and China's control over the region. Despite their initial momentum, the protests ultimately did not achieve their goals, but they significantly raised awareness about democracy and civil rights issues in Hong Kong and beyond.